The Director of Regeneration and Place has decided to approve:

(1)  the award of a Pre-construction Services Agreement, (PCSA) to John Sisk and Sons to complete the design of the Birkenhead Waterfront Project to RIBA Stage 3/4 together with additional ground survey works in the sum of £909,422

(2)  that the above recommendation be deemed urgent and therefore not subject to the procedure for re consideration.

In January 2024 the Economy, Regeneration and Housing Committee authorised the Director of Regeneration and Place to make a direct award, via the Pagabo framework, to the contractor in relation to the Waterfront project.

The tender submission from John Sisk and Sons is fully compliant and is within allocated budgetary provision and includes for the costs of carrying out necessary survey work that will inform the RIBA design process.

The Waterfront Programme has been awarded significant funding from Town Deal and Levelling Up Funds (LUF) and now needs to be designed to RIBA Stage 3/4 to allow it to then be delivered through a contract that will be awarded following completion of the design works that are the subject of this report.

Two separate compliant procurement exercises have been carried out to facilitate the proposed construction award to ensure the best financial outcome for the Council therefore it is not considered that any further efficiencies on the contractor award could be secured. 

The Council could decide to not award the contract. This is not considered to be an appropriate option given that significant funding has been secured from Town Deal and Levelling Up Funds as there would be reputational issue if the scheme did not proceed, and the grant funding was not spent.  The Birkenhead Waterfront project is critical to the delivery of the regeneration programme, the emerging Local Plan, the Birkenhead 2040 framework and commits to addressing the Climate and Environment emergency.